Correlation of urinary iodine and thyroid function in elderly men / 中国地方病学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the correlation of urinary iodine and thyroid function in elderly men in Harbin,and to provide the basis for formulation of health measures for the elderly.MethodsSeventy five cases of clinically healthy elderly men were enrolled for check-up of urinary iodine,thyroid function and B-ultrasound in Geriatric Ward the Forth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in 2010.The subjects of investigation were divided into iodine appropriate and iodine sufficient groups and thyroid function parameters and B-ultrasound results were compared.ResultsThe average age of the 75 cases of healthy elderly men was (79.07 ± 4.78) years old and the median of urinary iodine was 198.4 μg/L.There were 62.67％ (47/75) elderly males whose iodine nutritional status was appropriate,but there were still some individuals(6.67％,5/75) in the iodine excess state.The level of TSH of the iodine appropriate group [(1.91 ± 0.82)mU/L] was lower than that iodine sufficient group [(4.98 ±0.60)mU/L,t =12.58,P ＜ 0.05],while the level of FT3 of the iodine appropriate group[(4.71 ± 0.56)pmol/L]was higher than that iodine sufficient group[(3.31 ± 0.43)pmol/L,t =12.18,P ＜ 0.05].But the difference of FT4between the two groups [(14.91 ± 3.12),(14.06 ± 2.79)pmol/L] was not statistically significant (t =1.40,P ＞0.05].The thyroid volume of iodine sufficient group[(20.9 ± 6.1 )cm3] was higher than that iodine appropriate group [(17.9 ± 5.6)cm3,t =2.11,P ＜ 0.05].ConclusionsSufficient quantities of iodine intake may affect the thyroid of elderly people.Whether the quantity of iodine intake of the elderly population should be decreased or not need to be further studied.

Effects of intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin treatment on the functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in children with Kawasaki disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin treatment on the functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were obtained in 10 children with KD before and 7 days after the treatment by IVIG and aspirin. MTT method, modified Boyden chamber method and cell culture plate adhesion method were used to assess the functions of EPCs, including proliferation, adhension and migration activities. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The functions of circulating EPCs 7 days after IVIG and aspirin treatment were significantly improved. IVIG and aspirin treatment significantly reduced plasma TNF-α and hs-CRP concentrations. There was a significant linear regression relationship between the reduced plasma TNF-α and hs-CRP levels and the increased functions of circulating EPCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IVIG and aspirin treatment can improve the functions of circulating EPCs, possibly through reducing plasma concentrations of TNF-α and hs-CRP.</p>

Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cell function: relationship with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in children with Kawasaki disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and its relationship with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) in children with Kawasaki disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten children with Kawasaki disease and ten healthy children as a control group were enrolled. The peripheral mononuclear cells were induced into endothelial progenitor cells using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. The proliferative ability, migratory ability and adhesive ability of endothelial progenitor cells were assessed by MTT methods, modified Boyden chamber methods and cell culture plate adhesion method, respectively. The concentrations of serum Hs-CRP were measured by latex enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferative ability, migratory ability and adhesive ability of endothelial progenitor cells in the Kawasaki disease group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The serum concentrations of Hs-CRP in the Kawasaki disease group were significantly higher than those in the control group (87.1+/-30.2 mg/L vs 5.3+/-3.4 mg/L; P<0.01). The function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells was negatively correlated with serum concentrations of Hs-CRP in the Kawasaki disease group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells is decreased in children with Kawasaki disease, which may be associated with the abnormal expression of inflammatory mediators.</p>

Polymorphism K469E of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene and restenosis after coronary stenting in Chinese patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Inflammation is a major cause of restenosis after coronary stenting. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an important adhesion molecule that plays a key role in the tight adhesion between leukocytes and vascular endothelium. The object of this study was to investigate the association between the K469E polymorphism of the ICAM-1 gene and restenosis after coronary stenting in North Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 124 patients who had undergone coronary stenting and coronary angiography at least 3 months earlier. Information on clinical risk factors and procedure-related data were also collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 124 enrolled patients in total, there were 72 cases of in-stent restenosis. The restenosis rate in this population was 58.1%. The frequencies of the three possible genotypes of the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism were: KK genotype 50.8%, EE genotype 41.9%, and EK genotype 41.9%. Among restenosis patients, the frequency of the KK genotype was 58.3% and the frequency of E allele carriers was 41.7%. Among non-restenosis patients, the frequency of the KK genotype was 40.4%, and the frequency of E allele carriers was 59.6%. The distribution of these two genotype groups between restenosis and non-restenosis patients was significantly different (P = 0.049). Using multivariate logistic regression, the difference between the two groups was more apparent. The odds ratio of KK homozygotes vs E allele carriers was 2.6, with 95% confidence interval 1.2 - 5.8 (P = 0.018). After grading of risk factors, we found that the KK genotype was a stronger predictor of in-stent restenosis in obesity or hyperlipemia patients, with an odds ratio of 9.3 and 3.7, respectively (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In our study population, KK homozygotes of the ICAM-1 codon 469 mutation had a higher risk of restenosis after coronary stenting, especially in the case of obese or hyperlipemia patients.</p>

Non-dilated coronary artery lesion and myocardial perfusion in children with Kawasaki disease: analysis of 43 cases / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study was designed to investigate the impact of non-dilated coronary artery wall lesion on myocardial perfusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Doppler tissue image (DTI) was used to measure regional ventricular wall motion in 43 Kawasaki children with non-dilated coronary arterial wall echocardiographic abnormalities (rough intima and arterial wall thickening) detected by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) at acute phase. A total of 31 cases who had both non-dilated coronary lesion and lowered ventricular wall motion velocity at subacute and convalescence phase underwent submaximal exercise single photon emitting computerized tomography (SPECT) for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 43 cases of Kawasaki disease with non-dilated coronary arterial wall abnormalities, 36 cases (83.7%) still had such lesions at subacute phase and 32 (74.4%)at convalescence. At the same time, lowered regional ventricular wall motion (RVWM) was found in 34 cases at subacute phase and in 31 cases at convalescence. DTI and 2DE had a very good correlation in the detection of such abnormalities (chi(c)2 = 9.64, P < 0.01 in subacute period, and chi(c)2 = 7.14, P < 0.01 in convalescence). In 31 cases accepting SPECT, 17 were positive. A total of 22 ischemic regions were detected. Eighteen out of 22 cases having ischemic regions had abnormal RVWM on DTI. SPECT ischemic regions were significantly in accordance with lowered RVWM in ventricular septum and anterior wall (chi(c)2=5.07 and 7.48, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) noted in DTI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Non-dilated coronary arterial wall abnormality is one of the forms of coronary artery wall lesions which could reduce myocardial flow perfusion. Its clinical significance is worthy of attention.</p>